and I have to say that now that it's over, I feel like next year's season is just never going to come… Spending way too much money on new waders, a goose call to learn for the off season, and in the market for decoys.

Our season as a whole was decent and in my book, extremely productive. I got hooked up with several very good people across Southern Illinois and throughout the season, and I learned a lot. I hunted a lot of public land, but also was lucky enough to get in on several good hunts with a friend on some private land.

Season started off slow with a teal or two a day and maybe a local goose occasionally, but then just ahead of a cold front on the Friday before season went out, it was on for BWT. I had never seen anything like it in my life and I won't forget anytime soon. A 4 man limit in less than 2 hours!

When duck season finally rolled around, we hunted a lot of public land spots including Rend Lake and had mixed results. We never had a complete knock out day, but we consistently took home ducks. I learned a few things about public hunting and about Rend Lake hunting, so while my partners likely saw it as a fail, I think it was definitely a success.

Once duck season came to an end, geese arrived and boy did they pile in as the first REAL cold started to ease and central IL picked up snow. I hunted with a friend on some private land and we had 4 canadas and a speck in under 2 hours.

I can't wait until next year and I hope to meet some more great people. I can't thank those enough that have taken me under their wing, no pun intended, and started me in on this strange addiction and I look forward to learning more with time and experience and one day pass it along.

[quote="riverrat85"]Congrats. The passion for the sport only gets worse the more you do it. There isnt enough money you can make to fund it. Rend hunting can be frustrating. Sounds like a good year.[/quoteI'll second that, the more you do it the more expensive it gets.